Secret code indicates NSA tracks users of privacy tools, report says

A NSA spying tool is configured to snoop on an array of privacy programs used by journalists and dissidents, according to an analysis of never-before-seen code leaked by an unknown source.

The code, published as part of investigation by two German broadcasters on Thursday, contains tracking specifications for XKeyScore, a powerful NSA program that collects and sorts intercepted data.

XKeyScore came to light in documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, but some observers believe the latest information -- which adds greater detail on how the agency monitors people trying to protect their privacy online -- may have not come from the documents he passed to journalists.

The broadcasters, Norddeutscher Rundfunk and Westdeutscher Rundfunk, did not reveal their source for the code but claimed in a report that former NSA employees and experts "are convinced that the same code or similar code is still in use today,"

The report describes how the code enables XKeyScore to track users connected to The Onion Router, known as TOR, a network that encrypts data traffic through random servers in order to obscure identification of a web surfer.

TOR, a project initially started by the U.S. Navy, is considered a critical privacy enhancing tool and one that has hampered NSA surveillance in the past.

The report contends the NSA is monitoring two TOR servers in Germany. One is run by Sebastian Hahn, a 28-year-old computer science student at the University of Erlangen. The server, known as a Directory Authority, a critical part of TOR's infrastructure, supplies a list of relays in the network to computers connecting to the network.

The NSA's collection of metadata about people connecting to the server puts those people at risk, the report quoted Hahn as saying.

The NSA also tracks the use of non-public TOR relays, which are supplied to users upon request in countries known to actively block TOR relays, such as in China and Iran, the report said.

Other rules in the code indicate the agency is tracking people who visit public websites for privacy-related projects including the TOR Project; Tails, a privacy-focused portable operating system; and the Linux Journal website, the report alleged.

A note within the code appeared to cast a disparaging view of Tails, a respected privacy project, describing it as "a comsec mechanism advocated by extremists on extremist forums".

"In actuality, the software is used by journalists, human rights activists, and hundreds of thousands of ordinary people who merely wish to protect their privacy," the report contends.

It noted that the rule for monitoring the TOR Project's website was crafted to avoid collecting data on people believed to be in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S., the so-called "Five Eyes" states that collaborate on signals intelligence.

That is presumably to avoid violating rules that prohibit unfettered data collection on citizens, one of the core issues raised after Snowden's leaks became public. But the report noted no such rule was incorporated into the code for monitoring the Tails and Linux Journal websites.

Other services monitored include HotSpotShield, FreeNet, Centurian, FreeProxies.org, MegaProxy, Privacy.li and an anonymous email service called MixMinion, the report alleged.

NSA could not be immediately reached for comment. When queried it told the broadcasters in a written statement that "the communications of people who are not foreign intelligence targets are of no use to the agency."

The agency maintained XKeyScore complies with U.S. President Barack Obama's directive from January, which said privacy interests of people worldwide are considered by U.S. signals intelligence activities.

Distributor Directory

Vendor Directory

Featured

Slideshows

Reseller News welcomes industry figures for 2018 Hall of Fame lunch

Reseller News welcomed 2017 inductees - Andrew Allan; Justin Tye and Mark Baker - to the second running of the Reseller News Hall of Fame lunch, held at the French Cafe in Auckland. The inductees discussed the changing landscape of the technology industry in New Zealand, while outlining ways to attract a new breed of players to the ecosystem.

Microsoft outlines future of modern workplace at Elevate 2018 in Auckland

A host of customers and partners descended on Shed 10 as Microsoft unveiled the future of the modern workplace in Auckland. Delivered through interactive sessions and thought-leader speakers, the tech giant showcased leading industry technologies to outline a roadmap for future channel success in New Zealand.

Copyright 2018 IDG Communications. ABN 14 001 592 650. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of IDG Communications is prohibited.